Preparing for an MFE (Master of Financial Engineering) program interview can be a stressful experience. Questions from admissions committees can range from the simple to the complex, and at times, even the most prepared applicants may feel unprepared. That’s why it’s so important to familiarize yourself with the types of questions you may face during the interview. With that in mind, here is a list of some of the most common MFE interview questions. By understanding the types of questions you may encounter and thinking through potential answers ahead of time, you can ensure that you’re well equipped for your upcoming interview.
- Why do you want an MFE?
- Why are you interested in the Oxford Said Business School?
- How long have you been considering doing a MFE and why now is the right time?
- What specific skills are you looking to gain at Oxford?
- What is unique to Oxford MFE that you are attracted to?
Video Interview of Columbia MFE program for Question 5
How to apply
On our website and through a number of external sites, we promote our openings.
You will be directed to our application form after clicking the link for the position, where you can:
It is crucial that you submit your application by the deadline indicated in the job posting to avoid missing out.
Submitting your application and getting prepared for an Interview
The job description will give you an overview of the responsibilities, requirements, and skills needed for this position.
We check your application to see if you have the necessary experience for the position.
We will contact you after the vacancy has closed. Prior to the position closing, you might occasionally get a call from us to ask about your application or immigration status.
If you are chosen for an interview, someone will call you to set up a time that is convenient for you.
We will let you know:
We might arrange a Skype or Zoom interview depending on where you are located.
If it becomes apparent during the selection process that you are not a good fit for the position, we will let you know as soon as we can. There might be other positions that fit your qualifications and experience better.
We like to have a two-way conversation when interviewing. We genuinely want you to succeed, so being well-prepared for your interview is essential. You might go through more than one interview, depending on the position.
A presentation may be required of you as part of the interview process. When scheduling your interview, the information will be given to you.
Be aware that MfE conducts pre-employment screenings for all roles, just like other governmental organizations, before you apply.
The type of checks include:
We use behavioural event questions to interview you. To help us predict how you might respond in the future to situations similar to those you have encountered in the past, we will ask you specific questions about your past behavior or experiences. In some cases, we’ll let you know the interview questions ahead of time.
Your response to a hypothetical question like, “Can you tell us about an important decision you have made and the process you went through to make it?” will typically reveal how you will handle significant decisions on the job.
Try to use the STAR method to respond to behavioral event interview questions in four stages:
1. Situation – tell us about the situation or challenge
2. Task – what was your involvement or responsibility
3. Action – what action/s did you take
4. Result – what was the result or outcome
Practice your responses before the interview and use pertinent examples. You need to consider the particular skills needed for the position you’re applying for, as well as instances where you’ve used them in the past.
We prefer to have presentations or work samples for some roles. Information on this will be provided with your interview confirmation. You will have plenty of time to prepare before the interview with us.
Attending the interview
The time and location of the interview will have been confirmed via email. It might take place in person with the panel or online using Zoom or Microsoft Teams. If you have any questions, please email vacancy@mfe. govt. nz.
You are allowed to bring a friend or a member of your whanau with you to the interview for moral support. When scheduling your interview, kindly indicate whether you plan to take advantage of this opportunity.
There may be more than one interview or meeting.
We might ask you to meet with your prospective teammates, peers, or other MfE whanau members.
We aim to have interviews conducted by a diverse panel.
